Whistleblower Policy and Trustee Orientation

Whistleblower Policy

If any employee reasonably believes that some policy, practice, or activity of the library is in violation of law, a written complaint must be filed by that employee with the Director or the Board President.

It is the intent of the library to adhere to all laws and regulations that apply to the organization, and the underlying purpose of this policy is to support the organization’s goal of legal compliance. The support of all employees is necessary to achieving compliance with various laws and regulations.

An employee is encouraged to bring the alleged unlawful activity, policy, or practice to the attention of the library and to provide the library with a reasonable opportunity to investigate and correct the alleged unlawful activity.

The Cynthiana Harrison Co. Public Library will not retaliate against an employee who in good faith, has made a protest or raised a complaint against some practice of the library, or of another individual or entity with whom the library has a business relationship, on the basis of a reasonable belief that the practice is in violation of law, or a clear mandate of public policy.

The library will not retaliate against employees who disclose or threaten to disclose to a supervisor or a public body, any activity, policy, or practice of the library that the employee reasonably believes is in violation of a law, or a rule, or regulation mandated pursuant to law or is in violation of a clear mandate of public policy concerning the health, safety, welfare, or protection of the environment. (4/2012)

Trustee Orientation

The Cynthiana Harrison County Public Library recognizes the importance of Board member orientation to the Library's efficient operation. Once a Library Board member has been appointed and taken the oath of office, the Board member will go through an orientation process that encompasses the information and tools needed to understand the duties and responsibilities of being a Board member. This orientation process will be conducted collaboratively by the Director, President, and the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives Regional Consultant.

Once the new Board member has been appointed, the Director or President will contact the Board member to welcome him/her to the Board and set up an appointment to have an orientation session. The Director will assist in scheduling an opportunity for the regional consultant to provide additional orientation information in conjunction with, or in addition to, the Library orientation.

Board member orientation includes introducing the Board member to the following documents, as well as any other documents necessary for compliance with Kentucky law governing libraries and information specific to the Cynthiana Harrison County Public Library:

The Kentucky Public Library Trustee Manual

A list of Board members with their contact information, terms of office, and offices held.

The location and schedule of Board meetings, Board bylaws and policies.

A sample agenda

Documents each Board member must receive within 60 days of their appointment shall be included at the orientation: Your Duty Under the Law; Managing Government Records; and the Proof of Receipt to acknowledge that those two documents have been received. When the Proof of Receipt has been signed, copies of these documents will be retained by the library.

Additional documents that may be provided by the Director as part of the Board member orientation process may include the following documents, among others:

The Library’s latest Annual Report

The Library's Standards Report

The Library’s long-range or strategic plan

The Library’s current and previous year’s budget

The Library’s tax rate (taxing districts only)

Board packets from the previous three months meetings, including minutes, statistics, and financial reports

An organizational chart of the Library staff with names and titles

A copy of the Library’s policies or the location where they can be accessed

Brochures or other concise information about the library or library services

PR or information on any recent Library accomplishments

The orientation process shall also include a tour of the Library facilities and an introduction to the Library staff, allowing the new Board member to ask questions in context as they view the different services, activities, and areas of the Library facilities.

Some topics that could be addressed and discussed during the tour include:

How the Library is operated on a day-to-day basis

How the Library is linked to other resources and libraries

How the Library serves the needs of the community

How the Library could better serve the needs of the community

Every attempt will be made by the President, Director and Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives Regional Consultant to provide the new Board member with any additional pertinent information requested to assist in equipping the Board member with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their new role. (4/2012)